Hewitt adopts ordinance regulating unattended donation collection boxes, $100 permit and 90-day compliance window

The Hewitt City Council on Oct. 20 adopted Ordinance No. 2025-18 to regulate unattended donation collection boxes, establishing a permit requirement, maintenance standards, location limits and penalties for noncompliance.

Jim Devlin, a city staff presenter, and City staff member Thomas described growing complaints about unattended donation boxes placed without property-owner permission, overflow that creates a public-nuisance risk and infestations. The ordinance creates Article 12 in chapter 30 of the city's code of ordinances, requires permits, authorizes code enforcement to impound noncompliant boxes, provides for permit revocation and sets a $100 permit fee.

Devlin told council the fee was raised from an earlier draft amount of $25 to $100 and that the ordinance would take effect 90 days after passage to allow staff time to notify box owners and affected property owners. Councilmembers asked that permit activity and violations be included in routine monthly reports so the council can monitor compliance. Thomas said staff will include a category for violations in the monthly activity report and will attempt to contact known box owners; if no owner can be located, the property owner would ultimately be responsible for removal.

Councilmember Dr. Bruce moved adoption of Ordinance 2025-18; Councilmember Turner seconded. The ordinance passed on a 5-0 vote.

Ending: Staff said it will bring permitting procedures to the community-services office and begin outreach to known operators and property owners during the 90-day compliance window.